Window cleaning device



April 23, 1968 E. E. KERN 3,373,875

WINDOW CLEANING DEVICE Filed May l?, 1966 2 Sl'xeecs-SheeifI l April 23, 1968 E. E. KERN WINDOW CLEANING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 17, 1966 l ef L- fifa/a INVENTOR.

@-45,5 u ('/raw/ United States Patent O 3,378,875 WINDUW CLEANHNG DEVICE Eugene E. Kern, 152 W. Grimsby Road, Kenmore, N.Y. 14217 Filed May 17, 1966, Ser. No. 550,658 Claims. (Cl. 11S- 250.014)

The present invention relates to apparatus for automatically cleaning windows and, more particularly, to a mechanical window cleaning device of the type which can be permanently mounted on a window frame.

Modern buildings, including ofiice buildings as well as homes, are employing greater amounts of glass than ever before in order to gain the benefits of natural lighting. This innovation has been made possible, in part at least, due to stronger glass which allows larger panes to be employed and, in part, by the use of complete yearround air conditioning systems in the buildings so that the heat transferred through the glass into the building is not as much of a limiting factor as has been true in the past. However, with the use of more glass in buildings, the problem of keeping it clean has been greatly multiplied until, at present, it is almost impossible to economically do so with manual labor, particularly on large oiiice buildings where practically the total areas of the walls may be constructed of glass. Furthermore, air pollution has become a greater problem in recent years which means that windows must be cleaned more frequently, especially in highly industrial areas.

Accordingly, it is one object of the present invention o to provide an apparatus for automatically cleaning windows. i

It is another object of the present invention to provide a window cleaning device which is capable of lowering the overall cost of cleaning windows, is capable of cleaning windows at any desired time, and eliminates the need for manual labor.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the apparatus of the invention is shown in its attached position on the outside of a conventional window fra-me and comprisesI essentially a spraying and wiper assembly that is movable along a fixed track positioned at the sides of the Window to perform a cleaning stroke and then a return stroke to a home position in readiness for the next cycle. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the assembly is biased toward the window pane by a suitable spring means and there is provided a novel latch mechanism for retaining the assembly against the action of the spring means in a withdrawn position away from the pane of the window structure except during the operative cleaning stroke of the apparatus. In other words, the integral spraying and wiper elements are retained in a withdrawn or inoperative position until the device of the invention is actuated whereupon they are released into operative position; the sprayer being actuated and cleaning stroke performed by the wiper element. Then when the cleaning stroke is completed, the spraying operation is terminated, the assembly is latched in response to reaching the lower limit of the window, and the assembly is again returned to the rest or home position in readiness for the neXt cleaning cycle.

In accordance with other aspects of the invention, the spray manifold is mounted at the base of the wiper element so as to be directed toward the window pane for spraying a cleaning liquid thereon directly in front of said wiper during the operative cleaning stroke and for adding strength and stability to the assembly. Further, as the cleaning assembly reaches the terminal end of the cleaning stroke, the spray manifold serves to rotate the assembly by acting upon special cam members for latching the same.

ice

Another feature of the invention is concerned with the compact and sturdy arrangement of parts in a unit that can be easily attached to a conventional window frame. The `spraying and wiper assembly is held in readiness for each cleaning cycle at the top of the window where it is disposed under a laterally extending hood for protection from the weather. Also, the track upon which the cleaning mechanism is adapted 'to move during each cycle comprises a pair of rigid posts that are positioned at the sides of the window frame so that the full benelit of the window can be gained Where the apparatus is installed. These rigid posts take the form of a box section with an indented side to accommodate and thus protect the operative run of the drive chain which translates the assembly back and forth on the track; said posts further advantageously forming the frame for the cleaning unit by connecting the protective hood at the top and the drip pan at the base or bottom of the unit in the preferred embodiment illustrated.

it is an object of the present invention to provide a window cleaning apparatus for a conventional window wherein the cleaning element is latched and held in a withdrawn position at all times except during the operative cleaning stroke.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a mechanism for the purpose described which is retained in readiness for immediate use without obstructing the window.

It is another and more specific object of the present invention to provide a cleaning device having a spraying and wiper assembly which is biased toward the window pane for greater cleaning eiliciency and which is adapted to be latched in a withdrawn or inoperative position upon the return stroke to prevent wear, distortion, and/ or destructive vibration of the wiper element.

It is an additional and related object of the present invention to provide a window cleaning device including a spraying and wiper assembly wherein said assembly is rotatably held on a pair of holder members that are adapted for movement along the window pane and wherein the assembly, including a flexible wiper, is tripped during the initial movement of the cleaning; mechanism whereby the wiper is brought into pressure engagement with the window pane during the cleaning operation and is rotated in the opposite direction at the end of the operative stroke to a withdrawn position to prevent deformation of the flexible wiper due to this pressurized engagement during the return stroke and long periods of inactivity at the home position.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a window cleaning apparatus of the type described wherein a flexible wiper element is combined with a high pressure liuid stream that acts on the window directly in front of the wiper element during the operative stroke.

Still other objects and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in this art from the following detailed description, wherein I have shown and described only the preferred embodiment of the invention, simply by way of illustration of the best mode contemplated by me of carrying out my invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of other and different embodiments, and its several details are capable of modification in various obvious respects, all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view with certain parts broken away of the preferred embodiment of the window cleaning apparatus of the invention as viewed from the side of the window to which it is attached;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view looking in at the right of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIGURE l;

FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view of the spraying and Wiper assembly taken along line 4 4 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5--5 of FIGURE 3 showing the operating mechanism of the cleaning assembly;

FIGURE 5a is a cross-sectional view taken along the same line 5-5 of FIGURE 3 showing the cleaning assembly in a position of the cleaning cycle different from that shown in FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 5b is a cross-sectional view taken along the same line 5,-5 of FIGURE 3 showing the spraying and wiper assembly at still another position during the cycle; and

FIGURE 6 is a schematic diagram of a control circuit which may be utilized to control the operation of the apparatus.

With reference now specifically to FIGURES l and 2, there is shown a window cleaning unit 10 constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention which may be attached to a conventional window structure or frame 11 by any number of suitable fastening means 12, 13 at the ends of said Window frame 11, respectively. Suitably mounted within the window frame 11 is a pane of glass or other transparent structure 14, and, for the purposes of illustration, it will be assumed that the cleaning assembly is mounted on the outside of said window frame 11 in a substantially vertical position although it is to be understood that the present invention is not to be limited to such uses since the same could bs. used, for example, on the inside of a window and/ or could be mounted in a horizontal position, if desired.

The cleaning device 10 comprises a spraying and wiper assembly, generally designated by the reference numeral 20, which is adapted for reciprocating movement along the window pane 14 in an up and down direction as indicated by the arrows in FIGURES 1 and 2. A pair of rigid upstanding posts 21, 22 form a track for movement of the spraying and wiper assembly and are rigidly fixed at the top to an overhanging hood 23 and at the bottom to a drip pan 24 so as to form the main portion of the frame of the unit 10. As can be seen in FIGURE 1, the track-forming posts 21, 22 are disposed along the sides of the window pane 14 so as not to obstruct the same, and, as will be seen later in detail, the spraying and wiper assembly 20` is adapted to be positioned within the hood 23 in a rest or home position wherein it is protected from the weather.

A drive means for causing the spraying and wiper assembly 20 to travel in the indicated path of movement includes, in the preferred embodiment illustrated, a motor 26 driving an input shaft 27 journaled for rotation by block 27a through a suitable gear box 28. Fixed to the shaft 27 is a drive sprocket 29 that drives a drive chain 30 extending along the right-hand side of the window pane 14, as viewed in FIGURE 1. Disposed across the full length of the top of the window unit 10 under the protective hood 23 is a transfer shaft 31 which is journaled in end blocks 32, 33 and carries a drive sprocket 34 about which the drive chain 30 is trained in operative engagement and a driven sprocket 35 at the opposite end of said shaft 31. The sprocket 35 serves to drive a second chain 36 which is disposed along the left-hand side of the window structure 11 as viewed in FIGURE l, said chain 36 passing around an idler sprocket 37 journaled for rotation on a stub shaft 38 that is mounted by block 38a. As will presently be seen, one run of each of the chains 30, 36 is attached to the spraying and wiper assembly 20 at a selected point along its length so that upon actuation of the drive means just described said spraying and Wiper assembly 20 moves in the indicated fashion.

With reference now to FIGURES 3 and 4, the specific construction of the spraying and wiper assembly 20 can be easily understood to include a longitudinally extending hinge rod 40 iixedly attached to a pair of sliding holders 41, 42 at enlarged end portions 43. 44. These end portions 43, 44 can be thus fixed to the sliding holders 41, 42 in any suitable manner, such as by welding the same along the inside face, as illustrated in these figures. At the center of the hinge rod 4()` is a hinged sleeve 45 mounted thereon so as to be capable of rotative movement about said rod 40 (note FIGURE 4). Fastened to the sleeve 45 is a wiper holder 46 having a removable wiper element W formed of rubber or the like and a spray manifold 47, which are clustered in the manner shown in FIGURE 4 by weld material 48, or by any other manner of joining desired. It is understood that the spray manifold has a plurality of jet oriiices 47a positioned along its length (only one of which is shown in FIGURE 4) for spraying cleaning liquid during the cleaning operation. Coil springs 49 are provided on both sides of the hinged sleeve 45 (FIGURE 3) with the ends of the springs Working against the wiper holder 46 and the respective sliding holders 41, 42 to bias the described spraying and wiper assembly 20 toward the window pane 14 (counterclockwise as viewed in FIGURE 4).

As can be seen in FIGURE 3, the posts 21, 22 are shaped in the form of a box section and each has an indented side Sti, 51, respectively, which greatly adds to the strength of the post so that these posts 21, 22 can be relied upon to form the main frame of the window cleaning unit 10. In addition, the indented sides 50, 51 serve to accommodate the operative run of the chains 30, 36, respectively, so that said chains 30, 36 are protected. The chains 30, 36 are provided with outwardly extending pins 52, 53, respectively, which extend through a suitably formed aperture in the respective slide holders 41, 42 that embrace the posts 21, 22, respectively, to effect coupling of the spraying and washer assembly 20 to the chains 30, 36.

As mentioned above, the spray manifold 47 is supplied with a suitable cleaning liquid, such as water, and to provide for this, there is a flexible feed hose 55 disposed on the right-hand side of the unit 10 between the window frame 11 and the frame post 22 (note, in particular, FIGURES 2 and 3). A pump 56 is interposed in the feed hose 55 to provide the necessary pressure to the fluid as it is ejected from the orifices 47a of the spray manifold 47. To allow for the necessary reciprocating movement of the spraying and washer `assembly 20, the hose 55 is permitted to hang iu a downwardly extending loop 57 as well illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2.

It will be remembered that one of the features of the window cleaning unit 10 of the present invention is concerned with maintaining the spraying and wiper assembly 20 in a withdrawn position away from the window structure 11 at all times except during the operative cleaning stroke to prevent damage to the assembly 20, and, in particular, to allow the removable wiper element W to have a long service life. To do this, there is provided on the left-hand sliding holder 42 a latch arm 60 which is pivotally mounted about a pin 61 and has a notch 62 formed in the lower edge thereof with which a latch pin 62a is adapted to mate to thereby retain the assembly 20 in the withdrawn or inoperative position. The arm 60 has an offset portion 63, as shown in FIG- URE 3, with the terminal end of the arm 60 -being positioned so as to engage a one-Way leaf spring catch 64 when the spraying and wiper assembly 20 moves in the indicated manner. The arm 60 is constantly urged in a clockwise direction around the pivot pin 61 by a spring member 65 so that the arm 60 is'normally maintained in a horizontal position in abutting relationship with a stop 66 (see FIGURE 5).

To explain the operation of the latching feature, assume that the required driving motion is being initiated so that the operative runs of the chains 30, 36 that engage the slide holders 41, 42 are moved in la downward direction to thus cause the spraying and wiper assembly 20 to move downwardly, as indicated by the arrow in FIGURE 5. As this takes place, the latch arm 60 will be retained by the spring catch 64 so that the notch 62 is lifted free of the latch pin 62a whereupon the spraying and wiper assembly 20 is rotated in a clockwise direction by the springs 49 to elect engagement between the lfree end of the wiper W and t-he inner face ofthe window frame 11, as noted in the dotted line position of this ligure. As the assembly 20 continues its downward movement to the position shown in FIGURE 5a, the free end of the arm 60 has moved completely free of the leaf spring catch 64 so as once again to assume the normal horizontal position Iagainst the stop 66 and further at this point the wiper W has moved clear of the frame 11 and has further rotated under the inliuence of the springs 49 into operative wiping engagement with the window pane 14.

lust prior to this point, the spray manifold 47 receives cleaning liquid .from Iactuation of the pump 56 so that a high pressure spray S is directed just forward of the wiper element W to loosen the dirt on the Window pane 14 being cleaned so that it can be carried away by the squeegee action of said wiper element W. lIt will be realized that since the spray manifold 47 is mounted directly in front of the wiper W, the best possible cleaning etiiciency is thus obtained and, since the manifold 47 is mounted for rotative movement with the wiper W, the jet spray S will be assured of being placed in the proper position at all times. As the wiper W moves downwardly the squeegee-like action causes the cleaning liquid to be deposited in the drip pan 24 and the same may be conveniently discharged through a drain pipe D (FIG- URE 5b).

At the conclusion of the cleaning stroke, the spraying and wiper assembly 20 is positioned at the bottom of the unit within the drip pan 24 where said assembly 20 is to be reset to the Withdrawn position, illustrated in FIGURE 5b. This resetting operation is effected by a pair of cam members 70, 71 (FIGURE l and 3) mounted in the bottom of the drip pan 24 and having an operative face in the path of travel of the spray manifold 47 as indicated in this figure. Thus, it will be realized that as the assembly proceeds in its downward movement, it is rotated in a counterclockwise direction (note arrow in FIGURE 5b) about the hinge rod 40 so that the latch pin 62a is once again brought into engagement with the notch 62 to retain the assembly 20 in the illustrated position.

A suitable electrical circuit for automatically cycling the described drive means for the spraying and wiper assembly 20 and for properly initiating the jet spray S, is illustrated in `FIGURE 6 Iand includes a pair of electrical supply lines 75, 76 which are interconnected with the drive motor 26 and the electric pump 56 in the manner illustrated in this diagram. To explain, the drive motor 26 and the electric pump 56 are operated through a start switch 78 that is normally biased to an open position and a cut-out switch 79 which is normally biased to a closed position (dotted line position of FIGURE 5b). The electric pump 56 is further controlled in an on-off fashion by a suitable timer 80, which can be adjusted to suit particular needs but which is normally adjusted to initiate the jet spray S just prior to engagement of the wiper W with the window pane 14 and to terminate at the end of the cleaning cycle when the entire window pane 14 has been sprayed.

To further control the motor 26, there is provided a reversing circuit 81 including a reversing switch 82, which is or may be of conventional design and therefore needs not be discussed in detail here. Suiiice it to say that in the preferred embodiment illustrated, the reversing switch 82 is of the waterproof type and is mounted on the cam member 71, which, it will be remembered, performs the resetting operation on the assembly 20. Accordingly, the feeler contact of the switch 82 is positioned to be engaged at the proper time by the transverse support rod 40 alter' the assembly 20 has been rotated in the counter-clockwise direction to the latched or reset position of FIGURE 5b, whereupon the reversing circuit 81 is actuated to cause the motor 26 to reverse and drive the assembly 20 upwardly toward the home position. It should be noted that the cut-oft switch '79 is mounted on the post 22 (FIG- URES 5 and 5a) so as to be adapted to be opened and held open by engagement by the slide 42 as the assembly 2t) reaches the upper limit of travel. When the circuit is thus broken the cleaning cycle of the apparatus has been completed and the spraying and wiper assembly 20 is held in the home position in readiness to again be operated by pressing and momentarily holding the start switch 78 until the switch 79 once again assumes the dotted line position of FIGURE 6.

While in the preferred embodiment of the invention described above the posts 21, 22 take the form of a box section with the slidable wiper holders 41, 42 embracing the full periphery of said posts 21, 22, it should be understood that in cases where the window upon which the unit 10 is mounted is particularly long it may be desirable to provide a still more rigid side frame. This can be done for example by making said posts 21, 22. in the form of rigid longitudinal plates and the wiper holders in the form of slide blocks adapted to slide along a track formed in the plates. Also, it is noted that While in the preferred embodiment the spraying and wiper assembly ZtlA is operated by a motor 26, this operating function can be performed by other suitable means, such as a manually operated crank that extends to the inside of the window.

Results and advantages of the apparatus of the present invention will now be -apparent to those skilled in the art in that a completely automatic window cleaning unit has been provided which can be easily mounted on existing window frames for cleaning ot the window pane as desired. Most importantly, the spraying and wiper assembly 20 is designed to operate in an etlicient manner with an operative stroke and a return stroke with the wiper W being held in a withdrawn position during the return stroke and during inactive periods at the home or rest position so that the cleaning device of the present invention can be expected to have a long ylife and maintain the cleaning eiiciency that has heretofore been impossible.

In this disclosure, there is shown and described only the preferred embodiment of the invention, but, as aforementioned, it is to be understood that the invention is capable of various changes or modifications within the scope of the inventive concept as expressed by the accompanying claims.

I claim:

1. In a window cleaning device for operative attachment to a window structure, the combination of a wiper element, rigid guide posts adjacent the sides of said window structure forming a track, holder means slidably engaging said track, means for pivotally mounting the ends of said wiper element on said holder means in opposed relationship to the pane of the window structure, spring means for biasing said wiper element towards said pane, drive means for moving said wiper element along said pane in an operative stroke and a return stroke, latch means for normally retaining said wiper element in a withdrawn position out of engagement with said pane, and means for releasing said latch means in response to the initial movement of said cleaning assembly during said operative strokel whereby said wiper element is brought into cleaning position in engagement with said pane to perform the cleaning operation.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said latch means includes an arm pivotally carried by said holder means and extending toward said window structure, said arm haa/ing a notch formed in one` edge thereof, a pin extending from the adjacent end of said wiper for engagement with said notch, means for rotating said arm away from said wiper element for releasing said pin from said notch at the beginning of the operative stroke of 7 said wiper, and means for rotating Said wiper element toward said arm for resetting said pin in said notch at the end of said operative stroke.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein there is further provided a spray manifold attached to said wiper for pivotal movement therewith, said manifoid being directed toward said pane for spraying a cleaning liquid thereon directly in front of said wiper during the operative stroke.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said resetting means includes a cam member at the terminal end of said track in alignment with said manifold to rotate said wiper element and said manifold in unison.

5. The combination of claim l wherein said rigid guide posts are formed in the shape of a box section having an indented portion along the inside thereof and wherein said drive means includes an endless chain, one run of said chain being disposed in the indented portion of said rigid post, and pin means connecting said chain to said holder `means along said one run.

6. In a window cleaning device for operative attachment to a window structure the combination of a wiper element, means mounting said wiper element for movement along said window structure in opposed relationship to the pane of the window structure, spring means for biasing said wiper element toward said pane, drive means for moving said wiper element along said pane in an operative stroke and a return stroke, latch means for normally retaining said wiper element in a withdrawn position out of engagement with said pane, and means for releasing said latch means on said operative stroke whereby said wiper element is lbrought into cleaning position in engagement with said pane to perform the cleaning operation.

'7. The combination of claim 6 wherein said mounting means includes a track extending along the side of said window structure and holder means slidably engaging said track, and wherein said latch means includes an arm pivotally carried by said holder means and extending toward said window structure, a spring for biasing said arm for rotation in one direction, said arm having a notch formed in one edge thereof, a pin extending from the adjacent end of said wiper element for engagement with said notch to hold said wiper element in said withdrawn position, one-Way means for rotating said arm in the opposite direction from said one direction at the beginning of the operative stroke of said Wiper, and means for resetting said pin in said notch at the end of said operative stroke.

The combination of claim 7 wherein said drive means comprises a drive chain extending along the side of said window structure adjacent said holder means, means for `attaching said holder means to one run of said chain, and reversible motor means for driving said chain.

9. The combination of claim 7 wherein said one-way means comprises a spring element extending into the path of the terminal end of said arm to cause rotation of said arm in said opposite direction in response to the initial movement of said holder means during the operative stroke, said spring element being attached so as to be biased away from said terminal end of said arm during the return stroke.

10. The combination of claim 6 wherein is further provided a spray manifold attached to said wiper for movement therewith, said manifold being directed toward said pane for spraying a cleaning liquid thereon directly in front of said wiper during the operative stroke.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,428,823 9/1922 Wojnarski 15-250-04 XR 1,803,722 5/1931 Moon 15-250.24 1,924,922 8/1933 Gehrig 15-250.01 2,563,696 8/1951 Vayne 15-25().03 2,740,151 4/1956 Wayne 15--250.03 3,104,411 9/1963 Presser 15--250-03 CHARLES A. WILLMUTH, Primary Examiner.

R. I. SMITH, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN A WINDOW CLEANING DEVICE FOR OPERATIVE ATTACHMENT TO A WINDOW STRUCTURE, THE COMBINATION OF A WIPER ELEMENT, RIGID GUIDE POSTS ADJACENT THE SIDES OF SAID WINDOW STRUCTURE FORMING A TRACK, HOLDER MEANS SLIDABLY ENGAGING SAID TRACK, MEANS FOR PIVOTALLY MOUNTING THE ENDS OF SAID WIPER ELEMENT ON SAID HOLDER MEANS IN OPPOSED RELATIONSHIP TO THE PANE OF THE WINDOW STRUCTURE, SPRING MEANS FOR BIASING SAID WIPER ELEMENT TOWARDS SAID PANE, DRIVE MEANS FOR MOVING SAID WIPER ELEMENT ALONG SAID PANE IN AN OPERATIVE STROKE AND A RETURN STROKE, LATCH MEANS FOR NORMALLY RETAINING SAID WIPER ELEMENT IN A WITHDRAWN POSITION OUT OF ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID PANE, AND MEANS FOR RELEASING SAID LATCH MEANS IN RESPONSE TO THE INITIAL MOVEMENT OF SAID CLEANING ASSEMBLY DURING SAID OPERATIVE STROKE WHEREBY SAID WIPER ELEMENT IS BROUGHT INTO CLEANING POSITION IN ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID PANE TO PERFORM THE CLEANING OPERATION. 